Using GIS for carnivores distribution mapping in fragmented landscape In general, the Lantau Island had lower carnivores abundances, while Hong Kong Island and the New Territories had higher mammalian abundance (Table1). It is also important to note that a number of study areas were especially low in their mammal abundance including the Tai Lam in The New Territories, the Tai Tam Country Park in Hong Kong Island, and the Lantau South Country Park in Lantau Island. The fact that the New Territories and Hong Kong Island had similar maximum OI-values (i.e., range from 5 to 6), but the number of areas with maximum OI-values varies suggested an OI-value for all carnivores around 5.00 probably is the optimum capacity of the best habitat presently existing in the Hong Kong SAR (Table 1). Further improvement or proper management of protected areas may increase this maximum capacity. The New Territories was presumably having higher carnivores abundance for its larger in area hence possibly more good habitats. Other than larger in area, the distance to inland may also have contributed to its higher abundance. Further study is necessary for the possible cause.  Figure 2. Carnivore richness for country parks and the Tai Po Kou special area, Hong Kong SAR. November 2001 - March 2002 The carnivore richness for the study areas ranges from 3 to 8 (Table 1). The highest richness located in the New Territories region and both of the two country parks on Lantau Island were poor in species richness (Fig. 2). Other than poor habitat diversity, the higher isolation level may also negatively affect the number of carnivores. The same reason may also explain the low species richness in the Lam Tsuen Country Park, Kam Shan Country Park, and Lion Rock Country Park (Fig. 2). For corridor-liked areas, e.g. Kam Shan-Lion Rock Country Parks Connection in the New Territories region, the pattern of “line corridor” may have been more efficient in promoting the movement of animals between two ends, but provide few habitats for wildlife (Forman 1995). Fewer species inhabit in line corridors and they are mainly edge species (Forman and Godron 1981, 1986), but they usually packed together to form a high-density group (Niering and Goodwin 1974, Pollard et al. 1974, Chasko and Gates 1982, Sanders and Hobbs 1991, and Malanson 1993). This theory was further proofed by the high density value (OI) of the Kam Shan Country Park and the Lion Rock Country Park (Table 1). For country parks with both low species richness and low density such as Plover Cove Country Park, Lam Tsuen Country Park, Tai Po Kou special area, and Shek O Country Park, poor habitat quality may be responsible for its exceptional low species richness (Table 1). |